The Yellow House Casa Rural

Overview

THE PROPERTY is situated in Mataelpino a small village which nestles at the foot of the La Maliciosa mountain range and the Pedriza Regional Park. Yet it is only 45 minutes by car to the cultural city of Madrid. There is a direct bus at the end of the road. The area offers a wealth of natural beauty and a variety of activities. Swimming, ski-ing (weather permitting), walking, cycling, horse riding, climbing, fishing, painting, wild flower and mushroom collecting. It is an ideal place to enjoy bird watching, with some rare and interesting species, especially Nightingales, Bee Eaters, Golden Oriels, Storks, Azure Winged Magpies, Eagles, Kites, Vultures and other Raptors. Red Squirrels and numerous butterflies visit the garden. Only a ten minute walk away there are a number of mountain trails. This peaceful natural environment offers spectacular scenery. Take a picnic and enjoy the incredible views. In addition, gastronomical tourism and the week long local fiestas offer a unique opportunity for you to enjoy the flavour of Spain.

The apartment is set in a beautiful typically English garden where you can enjoy the scent of roses whilst swimming, or relaxing by the pool and taking in the views of the mountains. There is also a barbeque and spacious covered verandah for outdoor dining.

The English owner has lived in Mataelpino for many years and has a wealth of knowledge about the area and its surroundings. She also speaks Spanish, should you need any assistance.

HILL WALKING, MOUNTAIN CLIMBING AND CYCLING: There are a large number of trails from Mataelpino which lead to many points of interest along the mountain ridge, there are some maps and routes available in the apartment. The apartment has two mountain bikes.

CULTURAL TOURISM: Local Fiestas in Mataelpino and the surrounding villages are held from July to September. The three towns of Mataelpino, Cerceda and El Boalo celebrate their fiestas on three consecutive weeks in August. The fiestas begin with the crowning of two teenagers who become a Prince and Princess for the week. The fiestas are colourful events with music, singing and dancing in the village square every evening. In addition there is a fun fair, and market stalls selling handicrafts line the streets. Each fiesta culminates in an outdoor feast which is held in the town square followed by a spectacular display of fireworks at midnight.

Each village also has a fiesta to celebrate its own saint and these are occasions for both solemnity and merriment. The fiesta of Saint Isidro is held on the 15th May. His effigy is carried in procession through the town of El Boalo, through the surrounding fields and up into the mountain to the small local church where a mass is celebrated. Meanwhile, outside the church in the area at the foot of the mountains, a giant party takes place. Awnings are erected, BBQ’s are lit, and the local inhabitants enjoy a communal picnic. Musicians play, whilst horse riders in local costume canter through the crowds, and children play on the bouncy castle.

GASTRONOMICAL TOURISM: Mataelpino and its environs boast a number of superb restaurants serving excellent Spanish cuisine, such as The Azaya Restaurant which is within walking distance, El Cenador Salvador (Michelin 2 stars) in Moralzarzal (4 km), Don Astuto in Mataelpino and The Taberna in Becerril de la Sierra (4 km) famous for its lobster rice. Every year in March each of the villages organises a Tapas Festival where the owners of the local bars compete for the prize of 'best tapas in the village'.

The local towns also host a weekly food market where you can sample some of the best of our produce. You can also buy wonderful home-made bread, cheeses and home cured cold meats and hams at the Artisanal Mediveal Markets.

ENGLISH CONVERSATION AND CLASSES FOR SPANISH SPEAKERS: Take this opportunity to spend time with a fully qualified native English teacher. Practice your English conversation skills, or get help with some of those aspects of grammar that nobody has ever been able to explain properly to you. After many years of teaching English to Spanish people she can provide English which is tailored to your specific requirements. Conversation with morning coffee, or a traditional afternoon tea with dainty sandwiches, scones with cream and jam, cakes and biscuits and other typical English fancies.

PLACES NEARBY: The following areas of interest are within a short distance:

* The Spa at El Bosque - treat yourself to a spa or a massage (5 minutes walk)
* The Castle at Manzanares el Real - enjoy some history and then a beer or an ice cream in the plaza (10 km)
* The Monastery at San Lorenzo, El Escorial (28 km)
* The Monastery of El Paular (38 km)
* The ancient city of Segovia - with many restaurants for delicious roasted suckling pig (45 km)
* Navacerrada with a flea market (rastro) every Sunday morning - incredibly cheap bargains from the arts and crafts era, as well as all the usual car boot fair curiosities (7 km)
* Puerto de Navacerrada - skiing (16 km)
* Laguna de Peñalara (25 km)
* Puerto de Cotos - the highest point in the area (22 km)

MADRID: The magical city of Madrid has many streets and plazas to explore where you can enjoy a cool beer or a glass of delicious Spanish wine with tapas. In addition, it offers numerous galleries, museums and heritage sites, including the Prado, the Thyssen, the Royal Opera House, the Royal Palace, the Retiro Park (with its book market and boating lake) and the Botanical Gardens. There are also 15,000 bars and restaurants, including El Botin, founded in 1725, which according to the Guinness Book of Records, is the oldest restaurant in the world!

For anyone who enjoys quality of life this is the perfect place for a long or short stay, and somewhere you can come back to time and time again, and still discover new things.

Summary:

Beautiful apartment in the unique surroundings of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, 500 m from the village and 45 min. from Madrid. If you enjoy quality of life this is perfect for a long or short stay.

Outdoor facilities

Swimming pool:

Private

Other:

BarbecueOutside lighting

Private gardenExtra information (The Yellow House offers a pleasant haven away from the hustle and bustle of the City. Somewhere within easy reach of Madrid - close enough for a short break, but far away enough to enter a different world.
Forget about work, forget about battling through busy streets. Enjoy quiet village life, walking in the mountains, cycling, rock climbing, or simply watching, and appreciating the magnificent scenery and the wealth of nature that this area has to offer.
Enjoy shopping for our local specialities, meat from the Sierra de Guadarrama and delicious cheeses. The fully fitted kitchen, complete with oils, spices, fresh eggs and herbs from the garden will entice even the most reluctant cook.
The apartment is situated in a quiet street with plenty of parking. The garden and pool facilities are shared with the owner.)

Discounts and extras

If more then one discount matches your arrival date, please be aware that only one discount of the highest
amount will be applied to your booking.

Discounts

Late Booking Discounts

Arrival date range

Booking made less then x days/weeks/months before arrival

Discount

1st January to 31st December

14 Days

10%

Extras

Compulsory extras

Description

Arrival dates

Booking length or occupancy

Price

End of stay cleaning

All year

N/A

£21.84 per booking

Paid with booking

Optional extras

Description

Arrival dates

Booking length or occupancy

Price

Afternoon Tea with English Conversation

All year

person, per hour. By prior arrangement.

Paid locally

Morning Coffee with English Conversation

All year

person, per hour. By prior arrangement.

Paid locally

Location

This is the general location (within 1km of the property)

Nearby:

Nearest bar:
1km

Nearest restaurant:
1km

Nearest ski lift:
16km

Nearest supermarket:
1km

Moncloa Bus Station:
50km

Plaza Castilla Bus Station:
50km

Villalba Train Station:
20km

Reviews

7 out of 7 people recommend staying here

Advert accuracy

Cleanliness

Check in and Out

Facilities

Communication

Area

Value for money

Olga from Madrid

Verified

Stayed Monday 01 September 2014 with Family

it is a great house in a very quiet environment. The pool area and garden are so nice you dont feel to go out!
It is equipped with all you may need as if you were in your own home. Also its full of useful details (bath staff, ironing, washing, express coffe machine ,childrens cutlery...) and its perfect for kids with many toys for them (lego, puzles, games for all ages, water guns, cot linen,...)
The owner runs it excellent and you feel sincerely welcome everytime.
Good choice!!

Jonathan from Baldock

Verified

Stayed Monday 26 May 2014 with Family

We had a lovely stay at the yellow house. We were a family of four with two young girls and Patricia, the owner, went out of her way to make sure everything was right. The house is situated next to the mountains within a peaceful village with plenty of restaurants and bars a short walk away. Visiting Madrid is easy and theres plenty of sites to see close by. The house had everything and more than we needed and the big garden and pool is great for kids. We would happily come here again. The extra touches Patricia added were the icing on the cake.

Anastasia from South Mimms

Verified

Stayed Monday 12 August 2013 with Family

The owner Patricia was extremely welcoming without being intrusive. Having a lovely fresh meal prepared for our arrival really helped us relax straight away. She had added lots of little extras that meant we didnt want for anything when we got there either. The location is great for exploring the surrounding mountains as well as central Spain and a handy distance to supermarkets, buses and local town.
Patricia is an animal lover with chickens cats and rabbits making it a very homely destination.
Felt very welcome , relaxed and away from the great London rush. Would visit again !

Tara from Plymouth

Verified

Stayed Monday 22 July 2013 with Family

This apartment is ideally situated on the edge of a friendly village, with bars, restaurants and shops in easy walking distance. The host is incredibly helpful, with nothing being too much trouble - including arranging an emergency trip to the dentist on the day of our arrival! The pool was fantastic and the apartment was very well equipped for our stay, accommodating our family with ease. The bus stop to Madrid at the end of the road proved very easy to use, and the bus trip into the city is very interesting and takes about an hour - it doesnt break the bank either. The mountains are beautiful and easily reached from the apartment, with some lovely (but steep) walks. The weather was great most of the time without being overly hot - good use was made of the pool. The cats and hens were an added bonus for our boys! Overall a wonderful stay in Spain and definitely good value for money. Thank you Patricia for making it a memorable holiday, we were all sad to leave.

Graham from Annan

Verified

Stayed Sunday 02 September 2012

What a wonderful place to stay. Patricia was a wonderful host. On our arrival she made us a salad, ham, fish and gave us a bottle of wine. She also made us Bean stew, home made cake, jam along with a big bowl of fruit. My wife has tried to make the stew when we got home. Didnt taste the same for some reason?
Accommodation was great and the shower brilliant once you got the hang of working it. Beds comfortable and cool.
My Grand daughter loved the cats especially tiddles. The hens as well. She is nearly 20 months and her vocabulary growing. We live in a small village with no noise. Just like the Villa. So peaceful after our hectic weekend at my sons wedding. We were all able to relax. Shopping is an easy walk away. Lovely small village with a picturesque centre. Really charming.
We visited loads of place which were in easy reach. A shopping market made the price for food great. Not the tourist rates as we found in some areas.
In all as a family we could not rate the hospitality and accommodation highly enough. Age ranged fro 20 months to 84 years.(The mother in-law.)
Thank you Patricia for making our stay so welcoming.
I am sitting writing this as the rain comes down from the heavens. Wish I was back at the Villa.
The Murray family.
May I make one suggestion for people visiting this area that they have a GPS unit. For the first time we had one and it made things so much easier. We went out not using it in the day and when we wanted to come home switched it on and it took us right back. No more Why cant you read the map??!!!!!

The apartment exceeded our expectations, it was amazing. The beautiful lawns, flowers and trees create such a relaxing and private atmosphere that I have never experienced before. The swimming pool, so lucky to have it all to ourselves. The seating and dining facilities allow you to enjoy the apartment from different perspectives. The BBQ was fantastic. The kitchen facilities were amazing enabling us to cook delicious food and sit out on the spacious terrace and enjoy the warm evenings. Ten out of ten, would definitely recommend the apartment. Adam and Lizzie 19th - 25th August 2014.

Verified

What a wonderful spot for a relaxing Spanish break. The village is well-connected for cultural visits to Madrid, Segovia and Avila, plus it is on the edge of a beautiful mountainous nature reserve - ten minutes from the apartment by car. From the apartment you can take a short ten minute walk into the village, where there are friendly locals and plenty of excellent local facilities. Our welcome to The Yellow House by the owner was exceptional with plenty of information on what to see and where to go, and the apartment was extremely well-appointed. Everything was very clean and carefully prepared, with fabulous facilities like washing machine, clothes line, dishwasher and microwave for our exclusive use. The pool was breathtaking and thel large garden immaculate. We could not have had a better holiday and we would recommend The Yellow House unreservedly. We had four children with us and the owner was incredibly accommodating, for which we were extremely grateful.

Verified

We stayed in the yellow house for 8 nights and really enjoyed our stay. The apartment was lovely, very clean and well equipped. When we arrived the owner had kindly left us a welcome package of cava, fruit and biscuits. The gardens are beautiful and well cared for and it was lovely sitting out in the evening as it was extremely peaceful. The local village is less than a 10 minute walk with many bars and some restaurants. We drove into Madrid several times during the week and you are in the city centre in about 40 minutes. The owner lives upstairs and is lovely, she keeps to herself and you dont see her much but she is there to help if you need anything. I would definitely recommend the apartment.

A really lovely apartment, clean and comfortable. The small village within walking distance has some lovely bars and restaurants, and the people are really friendly too. We enjoyed walking in the mountains and visiting Segovia. Our only regret - not enough time. So, we will be coming back to discover more....

We spent a lovely peaceful weekend here, away from the big city with only the birds singing, watching the chickens scratching around and the kittens playing. The apartment was clean and comfortable with everything we needed. We are definitely coming back!

Owner reply:

I am so happy that you enjoyed your stay. I look forward to welcoming you again.

We spent a lovely peaceful weekend here, away from the big city with only the birds singing, watching the chickens scratching around and the kittens playing. The apartment was clean and comfortable with everything we needed. We are definitely coming back!

A wonderful countryside location with easy access to central Madrid (45 minutes by bus). Well-equipped and comfortable accommodation. The gardens and pool are beautiful, and theres a village nearby for shops, bars and cafes. We like to combine a city break with outdoor activities and so this place is ideal. Will be returning.